RNase

noun

RN·ase ˌär-ˌen-ˈās

-ˈāz,

ˌär-ˈen-ˌās

-ˌāz

variants or less commonly RNAase

ˌär-(ˌ)en-ˈā-ˌās

-ˈā-ˌāz

: ribonuclease

Word History

Etymology

RNA + -ase

First Known Use

1948, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of RNase was in 1948

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“RNase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/RNase. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

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Medical Definition

RNase

noun

RN·ase

variants or RNAase

ˌär-ˌen-ˈā-ˌās, -ˈā-ˌāz

: ribonuclease

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